Think I need an Import or Specialist insurer. Who to call?
Discussion
With the weather finally breaking and some funds freed up, it's time to put my winter purchase on the road. I've hit an unexpected stumbling block though, the usual suspects in the insurance game have no idea what my bike is and don't list it, a 2002 Honda CB400SS. Honda's answer to the SR400, basically.
A picture for those curious as to what it is or haven't heard of it before:
It's an import, as they all are, so I guess that's the trouble finding insurance.
The question is then, who do I phone who might be able to insure me?
A picture for those curious as to what it is or haven't heard of it before:
It's an import, as they all are, so I guess that's the trouble finding insurance.
The question is then, who do I phone who might be able to insure me?
crofty1984 said:
Have you tried someone like footman James or another classic insurer? Gorgeous bike you have there.
Thank you. I haven't had a proper classic or import bike before so it's all new to me finding insurance for it. I'm going to call Carol Nash, Footman James (thanks for that) and see what comes back.
Spanna said:
With the weather finally breaking and some funds freed up, it's time to put my winter purchase on the road. I've hit an unexpected stumbling block though, the usual suspects in the insurance game have no idea what my bike is and don't list it, a 2002 Honda CB400SS. Honda's answer to the SR400, basically.
A picture for those curious as to what it is or haven't heard of it before:
It's an import, as they all are, so I guess that's the trouble finding insurance.
The question is then, who do I phone who might be able to insure me?
I can't suggest anything additional with regards to insurance but that's a really interesting bike. It looks like Honda have put together a load of parts from '70s and '80s bikes. I recognise a good number of them. Verynice.A picture for those curious as to what it is or haven't heard of it before:
It's an import, as they all are, so I guess that's the trouble finding insurance.
The question is then, who do I phone who might be able to insure me?
It was a purchase of chance at the back end of last year. A guy had traded it in the day before at a local dealer, I was popping in for a spark plug and nose round at the bikes. It hadn't been cleaned or prepped but I was told I could have it that day at a certain price before they prep it, MOT it and put it in the shop.
I went and got the cash.
It's very smooth and nice to ride. 400 single, kick start no leccy! It's a b
h to get started when cold, needs full choke and proper good kick to get it going and takes a while to warm up, it seems to run pretty lean. I've left it standard for now, I would like a more 'thumper' noise from as it's quiet with the standard pipe on.
I went and got the cash.
It's very smooth and nice to ride. 400 single, kick start no leccy! It's a b
h to get started when cold, needs full choke and proper good kick to get it going and takes a while to warm up, it seems to run pretty lean. I've left it standard for now, I would like a more 'thumper' noise from as it's quiet with the standard pipe on. Spanna said:
It's a bh to get started when cold, needs full choke and proper good kick to get it going and takes a while to warm up, it seems to run pretty lean. I've left it standard for now, I would like a more 'thumper' noise from as it's quiet with the standard pipe on.
Not being patronising, but have you owned a kick-start single before?h to get started when cold, needs full choke and proper good kick to get it going and takes a while to warm up, it seems to run pretty lean. I've left it standard for now, I would like a more 'thumper' noise from as it's quiet with the standard pipe on.A lot of people don't know, but it will always start easiest if you work the kickstart slowly until it is just over the top of the compression stroke then give it your biggest kick.
This lets the crank get maximum speed through the exhaust and intake strokes so when it comes up to compression you have a nice big charge of fuel and plenty of momentum to get it running.
If it's still reluctant, it might be an idea to strip and clean the carb; a lot of imports have spent ages sitting with stale fuel in them and the carbs get gummy.
As for insurance, have you tried the online quote people like go compare?
As long as you have the registration number, they usually come through ok.
Great looking bike by the way!
Rubin215 said:
Spanna said:
It's a bh to get started when cold, needs full choke and proper good kick to get it going and takes a while to warm up, it seems to run pretty lean. I've left it standard for now, I would like a more 'thumper' noise from as it's quiet with the standard pipe on.
Not being patronising, but have you owned a kick-start single before?h to get started when cold, needs full choke and proper good kick to get it going and takes a while to warm up, it seems to run pretty lean. I've left it standard for now, I would like a more 'thumper' noise from as it's quiet with the standard pipe on.A lot of people don't know, but it will always start easiest if you work the kickstart slowly until it is just over the top of the compression stroke then give it your biggest kick.
This lets the crank get maximum speed through the exhaust and intake strokes so when it comes up to compression you have a nice big charge of fuel and plenty of momentum to get it running.
If it's still reluctant, it might be an idea to strip and clean the carb; a lot of imports have spent ages sitting with stale fuel in them and the carbs get gummy.
As for insurance, have you tried the online quote people like go compare?
As long as you have the registration number, they usually come through ok.
Great looking bike by the way!
I've had the carb off and dropped the fuel out over the winter, it's damn clean in there I was quite impressed. I have had kick starts before, but I weigh 10 stone... Not had as big a kicker as this one and looking at the limited info online of these even the later electric start ones are reluctant to get going. I only kick it when its over compression, I'd be knackered keep kicking it if it weren't. I'm starting to get the technique for the bike.
Spanna said:
Rubin215 said:
Spanna said:
It's a bh to get started when cold, needs full choke and proper good kick to get it going and takes a while to warm up, it seems to run pretty lean. I've left it standard for now, I would like a more 'thumper' noise from as it's quiet with the standard pipe on.
Not being patronising, but have you owned a kick-start single before?h to get started when cold, needs full choke and proper good kick to get it going and takes a while to warm up, it seems to run pretty lean. I've left it standard for now, I would like a more 'thumper' noise from as it's quiet with the standard pipe on.A lot of people don't know, but it will always start easiest if you work the kickstart slowly until it is just over the top of the compression stroke then give it your biggest kick.
This lets the crank get maximum speed through the exhaust and intake strokes so when it comes up to compression you have a nice big charge of fuel and plenty of momentum to get it running.
If it's still reluctant, it might be an idea to strip and clean the carb; a lot of imports have spent ages sitting with stale fuel in them and the carbs get gummy.
As for insurance, have you tried the online quote people like go compare?
As long as you have the registration number, they usually come through ok.
Great looking bike by the way!
I've had the carb off and dropped the fuel out over the winter, it's damn clean in there I was quite impressed. I have had kick starts before, but I weigh 10 stone... Not had as big a kicker as this one and looking at the limited info online of these even the later electric start ones are reluctant to get going. I only kick it when its over compression, I'd be knackered keep kicking it if it weren't. I'm starting to get the technique for the bike.
I'll give you £50 for it...
Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff